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David Flynn

Last Saturday morning, as they have done for 37 years, a fleet of vintage cars from the Midland Vintage and Classic Car Club set out from Athlone to tour various parts of the Midlands.

Among the participants were local rally stars such as Heather and Roy Lowe, who entered the rally with two cars. Heather drove a light grey 1969 Wolseley Hornet, which she has owned since

for several years, while her husband Roy drove a red 1953 MG TD.

“The Wolseley Hornet drives like a Mini, very similar, and is basically a Mini with a boot,” said Roy. “The other car, the red MG TD, we’ve had for over twenty years.”

Having already taken part in a car race in Enniskillen last week, the Lowes are now planning to take part in an upcoming rally at the Hodson Bay Hotel.

Connie Hanniffy is the long-standing secretary of the Midland Vintage and Classic Car Club and she outlined the route the vintage cars would take on their scenic journey through the Midlands, passing by attractions such as Birr Castle Gardens and Science Museum, including the great telescope built in 1845, the historic Clonony Castle, one of the oldest inhabited castles in Ireland, and also visiting Cloghan, Banagher, Borrisokane and the Old Batteries in Athlone.

Of the 57 vintage cars registered for the rally, the oldest, according to Connie Hanniffy, is a 1932 Wolseley Hornet Special. The owner is from Castlebar, who took part in the first Midlands Vintage Rally in Athlone in 1987.

Connie had two cars in the Midlands Rally. She drove her own 1972 Rover P6 3500 V8 and her other car, a 1972 MGB, was driven by Simon Perry from Belmont, Co. Offaly.